Obituaries from Saline County Arkansas November 4th

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Michael Ray Jones

Michael Ray Jones, 69, of Alexander, passed away on October 31st, 2026, surrounded by family in his home. He was born on August 1, 1957, in Del Rio, Texas, to Melvin and Faye Jones. He was raised in Jacksonville, AR where he built a community of lifelong friends.

To those close to him, Michael was known for his dedication to excellence regardless of the endeavor. To his coworkers, he was an esteemed civil engineer who invested over 25 years at the Arkansas Highway Department. To his friends and family, Michael was known as an avid outdoorsman. He was often seen engaging in his passions of hunting, fishing, biking, and marksmanship. To all those in his life, Michael was known as an incredibly intelligent, honest, and outgoing man.

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Terri Jones; children Shae Calhoun (husband Taylor), Lee Jones, and Shelby Jones (fiancé Alec); and grandchildren Zoey Ellis, Asher Ellis, and Oliver Calhoun.

Funeral services will be held at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market St. in Benton, Arkansas on Friday, November 6. Visitation will be held from 1:30-2:30 PM, followed by funeral service at 2:30 PM. Burial following at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander.

In honor of his wishes, All attendees should wear Levi’s or blue jeans and a white t-shirt. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honor to The Ronald McDonald House of Little Rock at Make a Donation – Ronald McDonald House, or by mailing to 1501 W 10th St. Little Rock, AR 72202.

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Claudie Leaman Dempsey

Claudie Leaman Dempsey, 90, of Benton, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on November 1, 2026. He was born on November 25, 1935, in Mark Tree, Arkansas, to Samuel Leaman “SL” and Birdie Dempsey.

Claudie was a hardworking man who took great pride in providing for his family. Throughout his life, he wore many hats, including working in construction, but he was especially proud of his time as an underwater welder, a trade that allowed him to be part of building the Arkansas River Bridge. He had a deep love for the outdoors, where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tending to his garden, as he truly had a green thumb. A natural storyteller and teacher at heart, Claudie enjoyed sharing his knowledge, experiences, and stories with those around him, leaving a little of himself with everyone he met.

Above all, Claudie was a man of strong faith. He served as a deacon at First Assembly of God for seven years, and his relationship with the Lord was an important part of his life. He was also a man who stood by his word. He once made a promise at his mother’s side near the end of her life that he would never drink again, and he kept that promise. That was the kind of man Claudie was.

One of the greatest blessings of his life was his beloved wife, Patsy Manell Dempsey. Together, they shared 70 years of marriage built on love, faith, and respect. Claudie loved Patsy dearly, and the life they built together testified to their devotion to one another. They both loved having family gathered around them, especially during the holidays, but really, any excuse to bring everyone together was a good one. Their home was a place where family and friends were always welcome, and there was always something cooking to share. One thing was certain: if you were around Claudie and Patsy, you were never going to leave hungry. Feeding the people they loved was simply one of the ways they showed how much they cared.

Claudie was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Patsy Manell Dempsey; his sons, Gary, Rocky, and Stanley Dempsey; granddaughter, Amanda Santoff; as well as daughter-in-law, Kathy Dempsey.

He is survived by sons, Rodger (Sharon) and William (Leona) Dempsey; grandchildren, Matt, Crystal, Ashley, Keith, Roxanne, and Samuel Dempsey; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Kris, Ruger, Elise, Aspen, Austin, Andin, Autumn, Cayden, and Shyane; great-great-grandchildren, Grayson, Jackson, and Warren; daughters-in-law, Suzy Dempsey, Patricia Johnson, and Denise Dempsey; along with many other family members and dear friends who loved him and will miss him dearly.

A memorial service honoring and celebrating Claudie’s life will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Tent Builders Church, 1214 Liberty, Benton, Arkansas. 

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